JUST IN: Stampedes: Tinubu Bows To Pressure, Take Necessary Steps To Stop Recurrence
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has disclosed that the Federal Government is taking all the necessary steps to forestall stampedes across the country.
Nigeria, in the last one week, has witnessed three stampedes which resulted in the death of more than 60 citizens including the elderly and the minors in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory and Okija in Anambra State.
He gave the assurance at the third day Firdau prayers organised for the late Alhaja Rafat Onyeche Salami, an assistant director with the Voice of Nigeria (VON) who passed away last week in Abuja.
According the Minister, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is greatly saddened by happened, has demanded that a thorough investigation be carried out with to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of such tragic situations and to avert recurrence.
“Even when they are receiving palliatives meant actually to help the people, situation like that turn to tragedy.
“It’s quite unfortunate, no one prays for that Mr President has already directed that a thorough investigation be carried out with a view to ascertaining the immediate and remote causes of such tragic situations and to also avert the occurrence of this kind of situation going forward.
“At a time that we’re going to Christmas season, we would not want to have tragedies such as this.
“The President is greatly saddened by this, all of us are saddened by this and we do hope that this will be the last that we’ll hear of this kind of situation in this country,” the minister said.
Describing the late veteran journalist as hardworking, dedicated and God-fearing, Idris said Rafat lived an exemplary life worthy of emulation and in the course of Islam as sje followed the dictates of Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) till she breathed her last.
“Rafat’s death was shocking to me. She’s hardworking, dedicated and God-fearing. The Nigeria Guild of Editors, the Nigeria Union of Journalists and the Newspapers Proprietor Association of Nigeria all are mourning Rafat.
“She lived a good life. She followed the footstep of the Prophet (peace be upon him). We are the Ministry of Information are mourning her. We should prepare for death at all times.”
The Chief Imam of Al Habibiyah Islamic Society (AIS) Guzape Abuja, where Rafat worshipped, Fuhad Adeyemi, in his message during the prayer session for the deceased, said she contributed in no small measure to building of the AIS Mosque describing her as a devotee who spent most of her propagating Islam and a devoted mother whose love for her family was unquantifiable.
Adeyemi urged Muslims to always prepare for the Last Day saying death is inevitable and nobody knows when death would come knocking.
In an emotional-laden voice, Adeyemi said, “Hajia Rafat contributed greatly to the building and growth of this Mosque. Her life was 24/7 around the Mosque and her family.
“She was a woman of substance and was instrumental to the spread of Islam through the media. It’s time we devote ourselves to the cause of Allah because we don’t know the Last Day.
“With her activities here on earth, she prepared for a day like this. Whether we have or not, we should contribute to the cause of Almighty Allah. As we are praying for her, our (Al Habibiyah) branch in Ilorin are also organising prayer for her.”
Some of the guests spoke glowingly of Rafat as a woman of integrity, honour and compassion whose ability and capability was topnotch.
The late journalist served as Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Abuja Council and played a pivotal role in hosting the International Press Institute Congress in 2018.
Rafat was recently re-elected as the Treasurer of the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria Leadership and celebrated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
